My Spirit Animal

I'm taking a break from the usual politics on this blog. If there was any doubt in your mind about my sanity, I'm about to erase it completely with this question:  Do you have a spirit animal?

I do.

Honest! I'm by no means a spiritual or religious person, but there is an animal that really does look out for me. Is it the fierce falcon, who strikes at blinding speeds from above? The lone wolf, whose mere appearance strikes fear?

Nah.

I'm a goose.

Geese and I have lots in common. We're both slobs, bird brains, talk a lot, and weigh more than we should. We also both have among the worst-looking bowel movements in the Animal Kingdom. We both wear out our welcomes pretty quickly. When we finally get going, we're pretty slow. But we both can go forever.

None of these similarities is what makes me a goose. This is where you might want to call the happy wagon. .

I first realized it many years ago, while running in a 4-mile race. I had just passed some guy, but could feel and hear him behind me, hot on my tail, with a half-mile to go. And I was beginning to fade. Suddenly, out of nowhere, a gaggle of geese flew overhead, honking away. For some reason, I dug down and was able to beat this guy, even though he was really the better runner.

Ever since that day, geese often appear when I'm out on a run, especially when I begin to fade. Last week, for example, I was nearing the end of my first 9-mile run in may years, and was really getting tired. I was thinking of stopping and just walking the final half mile, when three geese appeared out of nowhere, and for the first time during my entire run. I forgot all about being tired.

It happens to me all the time.

Naturally, I'd prefer to be an Eagle or a Falcon. Sounds more impressive, although a goose is a step up from buzzard.  From what I've read, a spirit or power animal is kinda' like a guardian angel or patron saint, and is supposed to guide you when you're in trouble. So maybe my guardian angel is a frickin' goose.

Or not. Today I run 10 miles.

If you'd like to discover your spirit animal, take this quiz.

Updated 1 PM: Just finished running 10.2 miles in a blinding speed of 2 hours. The first mile is very difficult, straight uphill. I was considering calling it quits and trying again later, and there they were - my spirit animals. Fortunately, none of them shit on me.